Anthony Cunningham has announced his resignation as Galway hurling mananger.
In a strong statement, Cunningham said that he felt this a 'kangaroo court decision'.
Here's the statement in full.
I, Anthony Cunningham incumbent Senior Hurling Manager since 2012, hereby confirm the following:-
Despite the fact that I was unanimously ratified and supported by the Galway GAA Clubs, the County Hurling and Galway County Committees and having reviewed the current impasse in detail over the past month, it is with great sadness tonight that I and my Management Team announce our resignation from our positions. I do so with the best interests of Galway Hurling in mind and with the priority of best assisting Galway hurling to build on the achievement of 2015.
As a Management team we have exhausted all avenues with support from the clubs, their delegates, the hurling fraternity and County Committees in the past month to bring this impasse to a conclusion and protect Galway hurling. Despite extensive attempts at genuine dialogue including Independent Arbitration, there were no reasonable explanations offered or given as to the issues that players felt they had,
I believe that the players are misguided in that they are not taking the views of their county on board. They, through their actions have shown scant respect for, and loyalty to the good will shown them by supporters, clubs and County GAA Committees and Management. I contend it unreasonable to express a lack of confidence in management - how else could we have reached a winning position in an All-Ireland Final last September.
I consider this a kangaroo court decision, led by a core group of players orchestrated with the help of others outside Galway, motivated by a desire to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter-county players placing personal agendas above the greater good of Galway Hurling. This goes to the very core of what our Association stands for - there is a national danger now that the democratic and voluntary ethos of the GAA is being overrun by groups of players that wish to indulge in the selection and termination of management.
Galway Hurling is bigger than any one individual and given that this current impasse shows no immediate sign of abating, I reluctantly conclude that it best that I now step aside.
I hold a deep conviction that the current Galway management team is one best positioned to deliver Galway hurling to the next level and bring All-Ireland Senior success to our county. I thank my family, my management team colleagues and their families for their support and I am very sensitive the hurt they have endured in the very recent past. I salute the county officials and officers and numerous volunteers whop have given me magnificent support over the last five years.
It was reported this morning that Galway players - in a secret ballot - passed a vote of no confidence in the Cunningham led management tea.
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
